The NCAA Season 91 champions College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers struggled for much of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, but ended their campaign on a winning note. CSB started sluggishly but closed strong to put away the Technological Institute of the Philippines Lady Engineers, 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-22, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Lady Blazers head coach Michael Cariño rued his team’s effort in the first set, a bad habit that they have developed this conference.
“Relaxed kami noon,” said Cariño. “Parang di namin gusto manalo. Sa mga ganitong laro kasi na parehong team walang panalo, nananalo na lang ‘yung gusto talaga manalo.”
“Sabi ko sa kanila, hindi kami mananalo sa ginagalaw nilang ganoon. Kung lalaruin namin ‘yung talagang laro namin at magiging consistent kami, doon lang kami mananalo. Mabuti na lang lumabas noong dulo.”
Middle blockers Ranya Musa and Rachel Austero topped all scorers with 19 and 17 points apiece. The Lady Blazers surrendered a whooping 47 errors, but made up for them with 48 spikes and eight aces.
Finishing the season at 1-5, Cariño is still optimistic his team can turn things around once NCAA Season 93 rolls around.
“Ganito din ang simula namin noong nag-champion kami last Season 91. Ngayon, alam na ng mga players kung gaano kami kahina, kailangan na lang mag-focus kami sa preparation ngayon,” the youthful mentor furthered.
Alyssa Layug led the winless Lady Engineers with 12 points, while Ashley Jinon added nine. TIP finish last in Group A.
The Scores
CSB (3) – Musa 19, Austero 17, Cui 10, Engico 4, Pablo 4, Ventura 3, Abriam 1, Cardiente 0, Lim (L)
TIP (1) – Layug 12, Jinon 9, Gentapa 8, Mabayao 7, Agustin 2, Rosales 2, Acuzar 0, Cahigao 0, Gamit 0, Espinosa (L)
